Senior Planning Officer (Enforcement) Location: Abingdon. The councils operate in a truly flexible, and hybrid way where the focus is on outcomes not where you work. Salary and grade: Grade 7: £48,530 - £54,064 Duration of role: Permanent Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week Closing Date: 10/03/2025 About the role and what we’re looking for If you are looking to take a step up and progress your career as a senior planning officer in enforcement this is an excellent opportunity to expand your experience in a forward-looking planning service. This is an opportunity to provide support to the team leader and principal planning enforcement officer and deal with a range of enforcement, planning application, appeals and policy work. You’ll be responsible for the effective processing of a wide range of enforcement, planning applications, and appeals work in accordance with policy, best practice and government performance targets. You will help support and mentor some of the less experienced members of the team and contribute to continuous improvement projects. You will also be involved in the provision of professional advice on a wide range of planning matters and ensuring a development team approach to the customer. About you Your essential skills, knowledge and experience • strong analytical and problem-solving skills • ability to appraise complex information • strong IT skills including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet and email • very good oral and written communication skills, and experience in giving succinct and well-argued presentations • successful ability to take individual responsibility and manage your work and meet performance targets • reliable and able to work under pressure and meet deadlines • be able to give clear, accurate advice on procedure • investigative, methodical and accurate approach to work • ability to make assessments, recommendations and, where appropriate, taking decisions independently • diplomatic, tactful and able to maintain discretion in difficult circumstances and build professional relationships with councillors and the public • ability to deal with angry, upset, persistent and articulate customers • strong negotiating skills • experience of using own initiative and carrying out activities with minimal supervision • commitment to deliver service and corporate objectives • an excellent knowledge of planning legislation coupled with the ability to interpret policies and planning law • ability to work as a part of a team and support team members • demonstrate a commitment to diversity and equality Your essential qualifications • a degree in a planning related discipline, or relevant qualification or equivalent level of experience • at least three years post qualification planning experience and some experience of working in a local authority planning service • hold a full and current driving licence and have use of a vehicle insured for business use • eligibility for full RTPI membership or in the process of applying for full membership • If you have the following experience or qualifications – it’s a bonus • membership of a professional institute such as the Royal Town Planning Institute • experience of working in a customer focussed environment and dealing with difficult customers • an awareness and commitment to high quality design • an understanding of the principles of lean working and continuous improvement • a commitment to continuing professional development The benefits we offer • A basic 25 days annual leave per annum, rising to 30 days after five years. You also have all the bank holidays to look forward to and time off between Christmas and New Year. • Flexible working and annualised hours – a flexible approach to work that our employees love • Salary pay awards – most jobs give scope for a pay increase after six months or the following April (depending on your start date) and we also review salaries each April. • A generous career average pension scheme which includes life insurance of three times your salary • The opportunity to purchase a bike through Cyclescheme (cheaper than directly through a store) so that you can cycle to work • Various schemes to keep you healthy (reduced gym membership, free swims, free eye tests for DSE users and more) • We give you two days per year to volunteer within the local community. • A range of resources, support, and activities to help you maintain your wellbeing including a monthly wellbeing hour in addition to annualised hours (the ability to work flexibly as long as, over the course of the year, you complete your contracted hours) and annual leave. You may also have experience in the following: Senior Planning Officer, Local Authority, Policy, Town Planning, Council, Planner, Project Management, Planning Policy Manager, Town Planner, Legislation, RTPI, Sustainability, Planning Enforcement, etc. REF-(Apply online only)